Hands-on with Hitachi's DZ-BD70E and DZ-BD7HE Blu-ray camcorders

That's right folks -- you've read about them, you've dreamed about them, you've written lengthy, iambic poems to them, and now you get to see our gigantic hands on them. As you may remember, the Hitachi DZ-BD70E and DZ-BD7HE are the first ever Blu-ray camcorder models; the former recording direct to disc, and the latter rocking a hybrid disc or 30GB hard drive situation. Both cameras are largely the same, though the DZ-BD7HE seemed to be slightly larger, which makes sense. They've got a very comfortable feel when you're shooting with one, and we certainly could imagine ourselves filming HD "videos" with either. Check out the gallery for a plethora of exciting photos.

Gallery: Hands-on with Hitachi's DZ-BD70E and DZ-BD7HE Blu-ray camcorders

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[jdmbo1 @ Sep 1st 2007 10:33AM]

wow, thats an awesome design!

[Rick @ Sep 1st 2007 10:53AM]

Because it is BRD, am I correct in assuming it's using Sony's AVCHD format? Not interested in that format if so.

[Blake @ Sep 1st 2007 11:13AM]

Transcode?

[Rick @ Sep 1st 2007 11:29AM]

I don't follow? I didn;t see where it mentioned the format it recorded in. I assume it's AVCHD. Is it another format?

[Aleks @ Sep 1st 2007 2:13PM]

So what do you prefer the F*#(8(#$ up WMV HD format that only works decently on Windows boxes?

Sorry for the outburst but WMV9 HD (VC-1) basically takes about 20-30 seconds to load a 1080p video compared to AVC (H.264)/MPEG-2 on my Macbook Pro compared to 1-2 secs in Parallels in Windows Media Player 9. I've also tried the "open" implementation by VLC but it just crashes and its also the same under Linux.

In any case AVC HD is not "Sony's" format. It was introduced by Sony and Panasonic which utilizes the AVC H.264 video codec. This codec already has been freely implemented by the open source community and is supported in many high end professional applications.

[DBB @ Sep 1st 2007 11:24AM]

Ehm arn't hitachi a supporter of HD-DVD?

Nice design like always!

[KC @ Sep 1st 2007 1:29PM]

No, Hitachi is a Blu-Ray supporter like most other major manufacturers.

[Onyx @ Sep 1st 2007 12:03PM]

Does anyone know where you can find the price and release date (if not out already?)

[Salsa Shark @ Sep 1st 2007 9:36PM]

HDV only applies if you're going to DV tape. Thus, no HDD or optical-disc camcorder can be HDV.

[Rick @ Sep 1st 2007 4:29PM]

No, I prefer HDV using mpeg2. Since the format was introduced by Sony, I guess it is Sony's and Sony doesn't use any other HD format, thus my statement.

[Roland @ Sep 1st 2007 2:29PM]

I held it in my hands today at IFA and I was surprised how cheap it felt. Very light weight and cheap plastic-feeling. Also: I don´t think there is a way to edit the video.
This is a consumer-toy, don´t expect more from it. The video-quality is sharp of course.

[SH @ Sep 1st 2007 5:10PM]

"Full HD 1920x1080" it says on the side of the camera.

I hate to break it to Sony but HD is not their proprietary standard they can manipulate for marketing purposes. HD is defined in the standard as anything 1280x720 or higher. Period. There is no such thing as "Full HD" or partial HD.

[Phour ZwanZig @ Sep 1st 2007 6:38PM]

Some of us dont consider 720p full HD.. I myself am one of those.. Its good but True HD really is 1080i/p..

My TV doesnt even support 720p as its base res is 1080i.

[Maff @ Sep 1st 2007 5:36PM]

i always think yr being sarcastic when u put 'plethora of exciting photos' !? weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!